Q&A: Mazwendoda Ndlovu on Building the Next Generation of Creatives at GRAA

Geraldine Roche Arts Academy (GRAA) Coordinator Mazwendoda J Ndlovu reflects on his journey from volunteer to arts leader, the transformation he has witnessed in young creatives, and his vision for an academy producing talent for Zimbabwe and beyond.

NS: Tell us about your journey with GRAA and what brought you to the Academy.

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: Founder member, I joined GRAA, then known as GRD, as a volunteer, helping with editing and backstage management. At the time, I did not know much about film or theatre. Through research and hands-on experience, I developed a passion for both and eventually came to see the arts not simply as a side hustle, but as a career.

NS: What does GRAA mean to you personally?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: GRAA has made me a more responsible person than I ever thought I would become. Once I discovered the opportunities within the arts industry, I started taking it seriously. I discovered my own talent in the process. Today, my life is about art.

NS: What has been the most rewarding part of coordinating the Academy?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: Watching young people grow and begin to believe that they can make it. Being a role model for them is what touches me most. One of the biggest changes I see is confidence. Students learn to recognise their strengths and weaknesses, choose their career paths and develop discipline in their chosen fields.

NS: What are some of GRAA’s biggest achievements?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: GRAA has grown into one of Bulawayo’s recognised arts training institutions and has produced strong local talent. Introducing Level 2 allowed us to further develop some of the strongest students from Level 1. We also introduced animation and launched SHADOWS, a media company operating alongside the Academy. One of our students, Alicia Phiri, was selected to join a prestigious Arts Group, Simunye in Victoria Falls and is now gainfully employed. That is one of my biggest achievements.

These developments have changed the face of GRAA and expanded the opportunities available to our students. We are now looking forward to the day when our students receive national and international recognition as actors, cinematographers, editors and other creative professionals.

NS: Is there a student whose journey has particularly inspired you?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: Linet Ngulube stands out for me. She is one of the most passionate young women I have worked with. She has participated in several successful productions and progressed to Level 2, where she trained as a facilitator. She demonstrates her theatre and film skills with confidence and commitment and represents what GRAA can produce when a student fully applies themselves.

NS: Beyond artistic skills, what do young people gain from GRAA?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: We don't train artists only. We train discipline, responsibility and humanity. Students leave more confident, self-aware and better prepared to make decisions about their futures. These are skills that remain valuable regardless of the career path they eventually choose. (They discover their own latent talent)

NS: What are some of the challenges of running an arts academy in Bulawayo?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: One challenge is introducing young people who are complete beginners to the industry and helping them understand the different disciplines. We also have limited time at the theatre, while technology is constantly changing and our training modules have to remain relevant and flexible.

Another challenge is creating opportunities for every student after training. We want to ensure that the skills young people acquire can translate into real opportunities and livelihoods.

NS: How do you keep students motivated when they face financial or social barriers?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: I remind them that they can make it and try to be a role model they can look up to. I also show them the opportunities that exist within the arts industry and how sponsors are investing in young people. Most importantly, I help them understand that GRAA imparts life skills and qualities that can carry them forward even when they face barriers.

Parents are often reluctant to accept Arts as a career path so that becomes a barrier as they need support from their parents as they navigate their Arts passion and talent. I encourage slow conversations with parents and showcasing of successful Arts careers including GRAA alumni.

NS: What is your vision for GRAA in the coming years?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: I want to see young people excel in their different crafts and GRAA recognised across Zimbabwe's leading arts schools. I also want our productions—films, theatre and series—to become sustainable businesses that create paid work for the talent we train.

Developing the Arts Academy from an idea functional institution it is now to an even greater establishment benefiting young people.

Ultimately, I want to see our students recognised beyond Zimbabwe, including through international nominations, while GRAA's productions generate opportunities and employment for graduates.

NS: What would you say to a young person who wants to join GRAA but does not believe they have a future in the arts?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: Give it a try and see where you might have hidden talents and whether your life doesn't change for the better. At GRAA, we don't only train artists. We train discipline, responsibility and humanity.

NS: Looking at GRAA today, what makes you most proud?

Mazwendoda Ndlovu: I am proud that the idea of starting an academy was born while I was here. We built it from scratch and have continued changing and improving the system. Introducing animation and launching SHADOWS were incredible achievements.

I am also proud of the amazing development of the Academy in such a short time.

What I am still hoping for is to see our students recognised worldwide and to see GRAA's productions become sustainable enough to create opportunities and employment for the young people we train.